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Repair a chimney.
Repointing, capping or stack repair — by a roofer with proper scaffold and lead-work skills.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
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Cement-only mortar
Pure cement mortar on heritage brick is too hard — causes the brick face to spall. Use lime mortar mix (1:1:6 lime:cement:sand).
Cracked pots
Frost cycles crack clay chimney pots. Replace, don't just repair.
Internal damp at chimney breast
Often water ingress at the stack. Repoint and re-flash to stop water tracking down.
Birds in disused chimney
Install cowl or anti-bird cage. Birds nesting in chimneys are a Wildlife and Countryside Act concern in season.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and a typical week-by-week schedule.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Chimney repointingHand-rake and re-mortar
£400–£1.2k
Full stack rebuildDown to roof level
£1.2k–£3.5k
Lead chimney flashing replacementApron, step, back gutter
£250–£700
Chimney cap installationClay or stainless
£150–£400
Anti-bird cowlPlus install
£50–£200
Render repairCement-lime mix
£250–£800
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
Timeline
Semi-detached full re-roof · week by week
Typical
4 phases · 3 wk
4 phases · 3 wk
W1
W2
W3
Scaffold erection
Strip + felt + battens
Tile + ridge + verge
Flashings + snags
!
Schedule slips on dependencies — pad each phase by 10–20% for real-world delays.
At a glance
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Chimneys take the brunt of UK weather — exposed on all four sides, often the highest point of the house. Failing mortar, cracked bricks, and worn flashings cause damp inside the property. Expect to pay £400–£3,500 for UK chimney repair work depending on the scope.
What Does the Work Involve?
Common chimney work: repointing (raking out old mortar 25mm deep, refilling with sand-cement-lime mix), rebuild (stripping the stack back to roof level and rebuilding with new bricks), flashing (replacing lead apron, side step, and back gutter), cap and cowl (new clay or stainless steel cap to prevent rain ingress when chimney unused), and render repair (re-rendering the stack).
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney repointing | 400 | 1,200 | Hand-rake and re-mortar |
| Full stack rebuild | 1,200 | 3,500 | Down to roof level |
| Lead chimney flashing replacement | 250 | 700 | Apron, step, back gutter |
| Chimney cap installation | 150 | 400 | Clay or stainless |
| Anti-bird cowl | 50 | 200 | Plus install |
| Render repair | 250 | 800 | Cement-lime mix |
| Full chimney refurbishment | 1,500 | 4,500 | Repoint + flashing + cap |
| Scaffold hire (1 week) | 400 | 900 | Around chimney |
How Long Does It Take?
Chimney repointing: 1–2 days. Stack rebuild: 2–4 days. Flashing replacement: 1 day. Full refurbishment: 4–7 days plus scaffold time.
DIY or Professional?
Professional only — extremely high access, structural work, sometimes structural calculations needed if rebuilding. Heritage chimneys may need specific consents.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
NFRC member or specialist chimney engineer (chimney sweep often a recommendation source). Insist on lime-modified mortar (not pure cement) for traditional brick chimneys — pure cement is too hard. Get warranty in writing.
UK Regulations
Listed buildings need consent for any chimney work. Conservation areas may restrict materials. Working at Height regulations.
Common Problems
- Cement-only mortar: Pure cement mortar on heritage brick is too hard — causes the brick face to spall. Use lime mortar mix (1:1:6 lime:cement:sand).
- Cracked pots: Frost cycles crack clay chimney pots. Replace, don't just repair.
- Internal damp at chimney breast: Often water ingress at the stack. Repoint and re-flash to stop water tracking down.
- Birds in disused chimney: Install cowl or anti-bird cage. Birds nesting in chimneys are a Wildlife and Countryside Act concern in season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to repoint my chimney?
If you can scrape mortar out with a coin, yes. Failing mortar lets water track into the brickwork and roof structure.
Lime or cement mortar?
Heritage brick: lime mortar (1:1:6 or 1:2:9 lime:cement:sand). Modern brick: cement mortar acceptable. Lime is softer and "moves" with the brick, preventing damage.
When to rebuild vs repair?
If mortar joints are wider than 6mm or the brickwork is cracking through the bricks (not just at the joints), rebuild is the proper fix.
Cap unused chimneys?
Yes — prevents rain, birds, animals. Use vented caps (so chimney still has airflow) to prevent condensation in the flue.
Can I install a chimney cowl myself?
At chimney height — no, dangerous. Chimney sweep or roofer installs as part of routine sweep visit, typically £150–£300 fitted.
How long does a repointed chimney last?
Quality lime-modified mortar with proper rake-out and reapply: 40+ years. Cement-only mortar with shallow rake: 5–10 years.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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